Protective cover for baby carrier

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a protective cover for covering a baby in a baby carrier includes a canopy, a mesh, a flap, and an attaching mechanism. The canopy has a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion. The canopy is capable of spanning around the baby carrier such that a portion of a handle of the baby carrier protrudes out of the first cutout portion for enabling a caregiver to carry the baby carrier from the handle. The second cutout portion enables the caregiver to monitor the baby in the baby carrier. The mesh is disposed on the second cutout portion for shielding the baby in the baby carrier. The flap is attached at a top portion of the canopy for removably covering the mesh. The attaching mechanism is configured for attaching the canopy to the baby carrier.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/110,821 filed on Nov. 3, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a protective cover, and more particularly, to a protective cover for a baby carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Babies in general are quite delicate and prone to illness. Therefore, the babies are required to be handled with great care. In order to handle the babies carefully, a carrier or a portable bed may be used. Generally, a baby occupying such a carrier or a portable bed may get disturbed by a sunshine falling onto the baby's face. Further, when outdoors, the baby may face strong and cold winds which can make the baby ill. Furthermore, the baby occupying the carrier or the portable bed may get infected or diseased due to flies and other insects present around the baby.

The babies occupying the carrier or the portable bed are generally protected by clothing or blankets. However, when a caregiver covers a baby with a blanket or with clothing, the baby generally shows an abnormal behavior. This is because the blanket may limit ventilation and contact between the caregiver and the baby.

The baby may also be protected using conventional carriers that may contain a cover to protect the baby. However, the cover used in the conventional carriers may be ineffective for being used on a sunny day or on a cold day. Furthermore, the cover may be ineffective to shield the baby from extreme atmospheric conditions and from other outside elements such as insects.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One embodiment of a protective cover, for covering a baby in a baby carrier having a handle to carry the baby carrier, includes a canopy, a mesh, a flap, and an attaching mechanism. The canopy includes a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion. Further, the canopy is capable of spanning around the baby carrier such that a portion of the handle protrudes out of the first cutout portion for enabling a caregiver to carry the baby carrier from the handle. Furthermore, the second cutout portion enables the caregiver to monitor the baby in the baby carrier. The mesh is disposed on the second cutout portion for shielding the baby in the baby carrier. The flap is attached at a top portion of the canopy for removably covering the mesh. The attaching mechanism is configured for attaching the canopy to the baby carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and best mode, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a protective cover mounted on a baby carrier;

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the protective cover of FIG. 1 and a baby in the baby carrier;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a protective cover mounted on a baby carrier; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the protective cover of FIG. 3 and a baby in the baby carrier.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein in detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular protective cover, as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another. Further, the terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “coupled,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect attachments, connections, and couplings.

The present disclosure provides a protective cover for a baby carrier. The protective cover is capable of protecting a baby occupying the baby carriers. The protective cover of the present disclosure will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a protective cover 100 mounted on a baby carrier 200 is shown. The baby carrier 200 to which the protective cover 100 may be attached includes a handle 220. The handle 220 is attached to a periphery 240 of the baby carrier 200, as shown in FIG. 2. Further, in the present embodiment, the protective cover 100 includes a canopy 10, a mesh 30, a flap 40, and an attaching mechanism 50, as shown in FIG. 2.

In one form, the canopy 10 may be a piece of cloth that may be made of a flexible material. Further, the flexible material may be a waterproof or a water-repellant material. Alternatively, the canopy 10 may be made of any other material. Further, the canopy 10 is configured to have a first cutout portion 12 and a second cutout portion 14. The second cutout portion 14 is configured adjacent to the first cutout portion 12. Specifically, the first cutout portion 12 is configured on a top portion 16 of the canopy 10 and the second cutout portion 14 is configured on a central portion 18 of the canopy 10. The first cutout portion 12 is configured in the form of an opening for accessing the handle 220 of the baby carrier 200. The canopy 10 is further configured to have at least one pocket, such as pockets 20 for storing articles, such as a milk bottle or a diaper. The pockets 20 may be made of a textile material similar to the one used for making the canopy 10. Alternatively, the pockets 20 may be made of any other material. Further, the pockets 20 may be sewn to the canopy 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The canopy 10 is capable of spanning around baby carriers of varying shapes and sizes due to its flexible nature. In the present embodiment, the canopy 10 is wrapped around the baby carrier 200 in a manner such that a portion 222 (as shown in FIG. 1) of the handle 220 protrudes out of the first cutout portion 12. The portion 222 of the handle 220 enables a caregiver to carry the baby carrier 200 with ease.

The second cutout portion 14 of the canopy 10 enables the caregiver to monitor a baby 300 occupying the baby carrier 200 (as shown in FIG. 2). The second cutout portion 14 is covered with the mesh 30 in order to prevent the baby 300 from extreme atmospheric conditions and from other outside elements such as insects. The mesh 30 may be configured to assume similar dimensions as that of the second cutout portion 14 so as to entirely cover the second cutout portion 14. Specifically, the mesh 30 is disposed on the second cutout portion 14 and is sewn to the canopy 10 for shielding the baby 300 in the baby carrier 200. The mesh 30 may be made of a textile material and may have a lattice structure of a small mesh size. The textile material may be a waterproof or a water-repellant material. The mesh 30 enables the caregiver to monitor the baby 300 therefrom; and simultaneously protect the baby 300 from extreme atmospheric conditions and insects. Alternatively, the mesh 30 may be made of any other material.

Further, the flap 40 is attached at the top portion 16 of the canopy 10 for removably covering the mesh 30. The flap 40 may be sewn at the top portion 16 of the canopy 10. Alternatively, the flap 40 may be attached in any other way at the top portion 16 of the canopy 10. The flap 40 may be made of same material as that of the canopy 10, and may have similar dimensions as that of the mesh 30. The flap 40 may be used to removably cover and uncover the mesh 30 upon need. For covering the mesh 30, the flap 40 may be untied and rolled down, as shown in FIG. 1. Further, for uncovering the mesh 30, the flap 40 may be rolled up and tied, as shown in FIG. 2.

Furthermore, the attaching mechanism 50 is configured for attaching the canopy 10 to baby carrier 200. The attaching mechanism 50 may be a hook and loop fastener. Specifically, the attaching mechanism 50 may include a first strap 52 having a plurality of hooks carried by a bottom peripheral portion 22 of the canopy 10, and a second strap 54 having a plurality of loops carried by a portion, such as a portion 260, of the baby carrier 200. The loops of the second strap 54 are configured to engage with the hooks of the first strap 52. The first strap 52 and the second strap 54 may be stitched or glued to the bottom peripheral portion 22 of the canopy 10 and the portion 260 of the baby carrier 200, respectively. Alternatively, any other attaching mechanism that is known in the art may be used for attaching the canopy 10 to the baby carrier 200. In another embodiment, the attaching mechanism 50 may be a band made of a material, such as an elastic material, sewn at the bottom peripheral portion 22 of the canopy 10 for securely attaching the canopy 10 to the baby carrier 200. The material may be a water-proof or a water repellant material. However, the band may be made of any other material.

The protective cover 100 may be made as per a manufacturer's preference in order to fit a baby carrier that may have a size either larger or smaller than that of the baby carrier 200.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, another embodiment of a protective cover 500 of the present disclosure will be explained. The protective cover 500 is shown to be mounted on a baby carrier 600 for a baby 700. The baby carrier 600 may be similar to the baby carrier 200, and may include a handle 620 having a portion 622. The handle 620 is attached to a periphery 640 of the baby carrier 600, as shown in FIG. 4. Further, in the present embodiment, the protective cover 500 includes a canopy 60; at least one pocket, such as pockets 70; a mesh 80; a flap 90, and an attaching mechanism 95, as shown in FIG. 4.

The protective cover 500 may be similar to the protective cover 100. Specifically, the canopy 60 is similar to the canopy 10 of the protective cover 100, and is configured to have a first cutout portion 62 on a top portion 66 and a second cutout portion 64 on a central portion 68 thereof. Further, the pockets 70 are similar to the pockets 20 of the protective cover 100, and the flap 90 is similar to the flap 40 of the protective cover 100. Furthermore, the attaching mechanism 95 is similar to the attaching mechanism 50, and is configured for attaching the canopy 60 to the baby carrier 600. Specifically, the attaching mechanism 95 may include a first strap 97 having a plurality of hooks carried by a bottom peripheral portion 72 of the canopy 60, and a second strap 99 having a plurality of loops carried by a portion, such as a portion 660, of the baby carrier 600. The loops of the second strap 99 are configured to engage with the hooks of the first strap 97. The first strap 97 and the second strap 99 may be stitched or glued to the bottom peripheral portion 72 of the canopy 60 and the portion 660 of the baby carrier 600, respectively. However, the mesh 80 of the protective cover 500 may have a mesh size larger than that of the mesh 30 of the protective cover 100. Further, the mesh 80 may be made of any material. Furthermore, the mesh 80 may have a length smaller than that of the mesh 30 of the protective cover 100, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The protective cover 500 may be made as per a manufacturer's preference in order to fit a baby carrier that may have a size either larger or smaller than that of the baby carrier 600.

The present disclosure provides a protective cover, such as the protective cover 100 and the protective cover 500, for a baby carrier. The protective cover has a simple structural configuration and may be effectively used in varying atmospheric conditions. Specifically, a flap, such as the flaps 40 and 90, may be folded or unfolded to uncover or cover a mesh, such as the meshes 30 and 80, depending upon the atmospheric conditions. Further, when the flap is folded, the caregiver is able to monitor the baby occupying the baby carrier from the mesh. Further, the protective carrier may provide proper ventilation and contact between the caregiver and the baby. The protective cover is also capable of protecting the baby from insects. Furthermore, the canopy of the protective cover includes a first cutout portion, such as the first cutout portions 12 and 62, through which a portion of a handle of the baby carrier protrudes outwards when the protective cover is mounted over the baby carrier. Mounting the protective cover in such a manner facilitates the caregiver to carry the baby carrier by gripping the handle while covering the baby in the baby carrier.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A protective cover for covering a baby in a baby carrier having a handle to carry the baby carrier, the protective cover comprising: a canopy having a first cutout portion and a second cutout portion, wherein the canopy is capable of spanning around the baby carrier such that a portion of the handle protrudes out of the first cutout portion for enabling a caregiver to carry the baby carrier from the handle, and wherein the second cutout portion enables the caregiver to monitor the baby in the baby carrier; a mesh disposed on the second cutout portion for shielding the baby in the baby carrier; a flap attached at a top portion of the canopy for removably covering the mesh; and an attaching mechanism configured for attaching the canopy to the baby carrier.
 2. The protective cover of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket carried by the canopy for storing articles therein.
 3. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the canopy is made of a flexible material.
 4. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism comprises: a first strap having a plurality of hooks carried by a bottom peripheral portion of the canopy; and a second strap having a plurality of loops carried by a portion of the baby carrier, wherein the plurality of loops of the second strap is configured to engage with the plurality of hooks of the first strap. 